Hiker finds deer in old well in Spencer

SPENCER — A 100-pound deer found in a well by a hiker was badly injured and had to be shot by environmental police Friday afternoon.

The well, about 50 yards from Route 9 near Klem's Tractor Supply, was dry and is lined with stones. The deer, a buck about a year old, was standing at the muddy bottom. Police believe it may have been stuck for a few days.

Working with Spencer police and firefighters, Environmental Police Officer Daniel Reeve attempted to devise a method for getting the deer out of the 12-foot-deep stone well. But all options were abandoned after the deer was found to have a badly broken leg and extrication efforts would likely have caused more injuries.

After conferring with an Environmental Police supervisor, Officer Reeve shot the deer, killing it almost instantly. Having to put down an animal is the worst part of his job, he said.

Firefighters and police fell silent as the deer was put down, then went to work raising it from the well.

The deer was field dressed and taken away by Officer Reeve. It will be butchered by a volunteer and served at a game dinner early next year, the proceeds from which will benefit a local veterans' charity.

Fire Chief Robert P. Parsons said he will work with the town to determine who owns the property so the well can be covered.